How the Liverpool players rated...

How the Liverpool players rated against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge...

Jerzy Dudek

Had surprisingly little to do, but nearly undid all his team's good work with what would have been the gaffe of the season from a Djimi Traore backpass. 6/10

Steve Finnan

Provided a good outlet for Liverpool down the right side and also crossed the ball well, even managing to subdue Arjen Robben when he came on. 7

Sami Hyypia

Appeared almost workmanlike compared to the inspired Carragher, but went about his job very effectively. A formidable partnership is developing. 8

Jamie Carragher

Outshone player of the year John Terry as a colossus at the back, making a series of crucial tackles and keeping Didier Drogba very quiet. Simply magnificent. 9

Djimi Traore

Troubled by the trickery of Joe Cole early on but soon recovered his poise, making a crucial tackle on Tiago towards the end of the first half when the goal was gaping. 6

Luis Garcia

Floated around beautifully exuding a kind of languid grace but offered little in the way of penetration, except for one sublime turn off Ricardo Carvalho. 6

Xabi Alonso

At the heart of all that was good about Liverpool, running the game from deep in midfield, but spoiled his night by being booked for a late tackle on Eidur Gudjohnsen. 8

Igor Biscan

Igor used to be terrible but now he is close to terrifying, supremely effective as a holding midfield player who helped to stifle Frank Lampard. 7

Steven Gerrard

Atoned for his Carling Cup Final nightmare with an assured performance, creating the best chance of the match for Milan Baros, and would dearly love to finish the job next week. 8

John Arne Riise

Caused some problems for the inexperienced Glen Johnson down the right and brought a good save from goalkeeper Petr Cech after a mazy run. 7

Milan Baros

Starved of supply but worked hard up front on his own, almost winning the game with a looping header magnificently saved by Petr Cech. 6

The substitutes

Djibril Cisse (Baros, 65): Caused Chelsea problems with his electric pace. 7
Harry Kewell (Biscan, 87): Gave the ball way too easily but what would you expect from such a waster? 4
Vladimir Smicer (Garcia, 90): No time to make any impact. 5

The manager

Rafael Benitez: Another European masterclass from one of the world's great tacticians. 8

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